For as long as we can recall,  we have been told that we have a one of two choices:  we can either be a pessimist or and optimist.   But there's actually a third way.   This sermon expands on this.   Genesis 22:1-18,   James 1:12-18.   

When Jesus was gloriously transfigured before his disciples.   Peter wanted to preserve the moment and remain there.   Like Peter,  we would very much like our life with Jesus to be a mountain top experience 24-7.  Truth is, however,  followers of christ suffer the same earthly troubles that all people do and sometimes more.  This sermon explains why.  

Nothing in the history of the world has had more influence on human society than than the mobile phone.   They offer so many answers and do so instantly.    But they fall short of answering life's most important questions. 

There are times when you might not feel like yourself.  Most often,  the reason for this is you're suffering some form of evil in body or mind or society.  In the Lord's prayer we pray "Deliver us from evil."   God does that through his Son Jesus.   In Mark 1:21-28 we see restoring a man to himself at the synagogue in Capernaum.  

The world is passing away, but in Christ God has given us eternity.   This raises the question: where should the focus of life be? 

Through a distressed woman named Hannah and young boy named Samuel,  God revealed and carried out a momentous change in all of Israel.     Just when seems that all is lost,  God takes action in the most surprising ways. 

When Jesus entered the sinful world, the sinful world was convulsed.  This is most evident in an egotistical man known as Herod the Great.  When the Wisemen came asking about a new king,  Herod was enraged for fear of losing his power and so he aimed to kill Jesus.  A similar thing happens when Jesus enters the life a person,  there is resistance for fear of losing the self.   But not all thee world was so troubled.  The wisemen were drawn to Jesus and gave him gifts.     And so it is with us.  We have a Wisemen versus Herod thing going on with regard to Jesus. 

This New Year Sermon talks about how to look at the future and not be afraid. 

The coming of Jesus  as described in Isaiah 61

Ever have regrets?   Of course you have!   Like everybody else,  you are an imperfect human being; presented with so many choices,  you are bound to make wrong choices some of the time.   Can we prevent regret?   We can certainly minimize it.    John the Baptist tells us how.